not to mention how jimin went to jungkook to talk about how some people didn’t agree with his idea of “swim” being the lead single, saying it lacked that intense bts vibe… and jungkook just quietly listened while he let it all out. the way they’re always there for each other 🥺 it really reminded me of that epikase ep when they asked who jimin turns to for support, and then the docu shows jungkook… huhu ☹️💜
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Idk if I'm in the minority or not, but I didn't really like the documentary.
I kinda wish it captured more of the actual making of the album and their interactions with the producers (and by extension their perspectives on working with BTS). I wanted to hear about the behind-the-scenes of basically all of the songs (including no.29) rather than just 2.25 of them. But that's just my opinion I guess.
I also just in general wish BTS didn't feel so much pressure to incorporate english into their music if it stresses them out so much. It seems like that effort could be put to better use elsewhere maybe? And they'd probably feel more confident about the quality of the output in that situation.
This one is kinda just me being greedy maybe, but I also wish some of the cute footage that was just used as b-roll/montage was actually played in full. More footage of the members talking to each other (not necessarily all 7 all the time) rather than in a car alone for example would've also been nice.
Maybe bighit has all this footage saved for something else though? I hope so at least
- I liked how Jimin was giving his opinion. Thanks to him and Jhope 'Body to Body' have the Arirang song at the end. That was the right choice. I haven't seen the first post saying they don't like that part. Jimin and Jhope have vision.
- Is it crazy if I think we are either getting some media about how the albums songs happen? They focused only on SWIM and Body to Body, 11 more songs are in the void I guess, (29 doesn't count)
- Also, am I delusional to think that maybe since this tour is so long, they are going to pull an album in the middle of touring with the rest of the 100 songs they said they worked on, that's a lot of songs. Maybe they will do what Taylor did. Or maybe drop another documentary, "The making of Arirang" it's ridiculous, I know. I haven't slept okay...
But on the other hand, Jin and Taehyung both seemed empty for songs ideas, so I don't think those two came up with anything on their own. So I guess the bigger question is, how many songs Jimin worked on. And how many will make it to PJM3?
I had more to say but I forgot, so I'll edit this if I remember. 🫠
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“the documentary is likely to raise and answer questions”
I haven’t watched the BTS documentary because of work. How was it? Did it answer questions for you? I’m terrified to watch (don’t ask me why) and I don’t know what to expect.
okayyy i'm not gonna ask why 👐 (but i hope you know i'm curious).
i've only watched the docu once so far, so i'm sure there are some things i'm missing. but if i had to describe it in one word, it would be: somber.
(i don't think i'll be spoiling too much (and it's not like there is a major plot/twist in the docu), but for others, best to stop reading here if you don't want to risk it.)
it gives an intimate perspective of the pains and uncertainties that the band went through in the process of finishing the album. so, there were lots of introspection, hesitation, and back and forth. to me, the band was shown like this great, big ship that's suddenly unmoored. (ironic and very on theme, hehe?)
some of the stories that already came out about the process were there as expected: how the theme and references were presented to the band, the sampling of the arirang song, the opposing views and strong opinions, the fears and exhaustion, the rush, the deadlines, the hierarchy, the bond, and the friendship. expect to see some people like pdogg, nicole (translator-turned-vp, and yes she did say those things about On and Black Swan), and the notorious bangpd.
unfortunately, among the songs in the album, the docu circles mainly to Body to Body and Swim, so how the other songs came to be weren't exactly shown that much. that alone raised more questions for me, bcs i wished i could've known more about the how to other songs were picked and written (even if i didn't expect every little detail to be covered). i'm also curious about the scheduling and other decisions made, bcs why was jin doing those shows so late that they interfered with his ability to work on the album? (seemed like he didn't get a break during the whole thing, too.)
they showed a lot of the behind-the-scenes, but it felt like they held back many things, too.
anyway, you just have to watch and see it for yourself when you have the time. get a wider perspective. (your curiosity will eat you, anyway.) and if you're looking forward to getting your jimin fix in the docu, dw, you'll get it (more in the middle and in the end tho, so...hold on i guess). he was so charming and entertaining as always. and you got to love introvert jimin.
I’m the anon who sent you that trio of asks about feeling at peace with this being a clearly time-crunched transitional album that would be a very respectable showing coming from a different group than BTS, but ultimately still a really fun listen for me personally. And holy shit that Vulture article has officially stolen my peace. I was listening to the album when I read it and I had to immediately turn it off and go blast rpwp to calm down bc WHAT??
I echo your sentiment of what the FUCK happened to Nicole?! Do they have a Stepford Label Exec brainwash device in the basement of the Hybe building?? (Don’t answer I know the answer is yes.) Mentioning On and Black Swan specifically was like a dagger in my heart and knife in my back simultaneously!! Pushing for “relatable, accessible” lyrics what is this, fucking amateur hour??
In all seriousness, the James Joyce quote comes immediately to mind: “In the particular is contained the universal.” Specificity and honesty leads to deeper and more meaningful connection through art, always. I have to believe the members, at least, still remember that. Their clear dissatisfaction in many of those quotes does give me a glimmer of hope, though. Like you, I am also now anticipating the documentary with bated breath.
My greatest wish is that the success of the comeback, the tour, and finally being able to get back to what they do best, gives the members the security, confidence, and leverage to push back on this shit in their next group and solo albums. Because if not, that would be a damn fucking shame.
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Idk... I feel they already have the security, confidence, and leverage to push back on anything they don't like. BTS alone accounts for 85% of HYBE's global topline - HYBE quite literally needs BTS to maintain the company's current burn rate. After 2.5 years of successful solo projects several of which were handled mostly by the members with very limited (apparent) influence from Bang PD, I'd say the members were confident in their abilities as artists. And last year at a time when Bang Sihyuk was facing negative scrutiny on a national level, a time when more than ever it was evident that he needed and was relying on the cache that BTS brings, I'd say that was a time the members had some leverage over him as well. More than any other time so far I think.
I understand why people point out corporate pressure/Nicole/Bang PD when talking about their dislikes with this album, and after watching the documentary, it's pretty clear there was definitely pressure from HYBE for several elements in the album. But I also feel if the members felt strongly about anything, they could push back. They simply chose not to for reasons we can speculate on. This album is the result of what the members ultimately allowed, and I'd argue, what they wanted. Whether we like it or not. And that's okay to say.
Btw, we know what happened to Nicole. The same thing that happened to the handful of BigHit holdouts still at HYBE - they knew what the big PD wanted to hear and learned how to play into it. With Bang Sihyuk in charge, Western commerciality was explicitly highlighted as a priority for this comeback, and I'd argue it was the top priority, and so everything else had to ensure that.
But seriously, what a hard journey it was to create this album, and what an emotional one as well.
Seeing all the members together, reminiscing about their past while trying to adjust and enter the next phase of both their professional and personal lives was definitely something that brought deep feeling of sadness, joy and nostalgia. Along with tears and laughter.
Thank you, Bangtan, for trusting us enough to let us see even the most vulnerable sides of you. 💜
And for all the hard work in creating an absolute BANGER of an album 🔥 now I appreciate it even more